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Loney keys Rays' 5-4 win over Rangers

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) James Loney hit a go-ahead, two-run double in the eighth inning and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Texas Rangers 5-4 on Saturday night.

Loney lined an opposite-field drive off Neal Cotts (0-1) that went over left fielder Shin-Soo Choo and put the Rays up 5-4. Brandon Gomes (1-0) pitched a perfect eighth before Grant Balfour got the final three outs for his first save.

Yunel Escobar and Matt Joyce homered for the Rays. David Price gave up four runs and nine hits in six innings.

Texas right-hander Nick Martinez allowed three runs and four hits over six innings in his major league debut.

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